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On heading out into the cosmopolitan jungle of Leeds, one of the last possibilities your group might consider is; well, a Cosmo. Famed for their exclusivity, extortionate prices and jargonised languages, cocktail bars had become the retreat of the Eighties shoulder-padded businessman, rather than the Noughties hipsters after a chaser before they slink off into the night. Frequent visitors to the town centre after hours may have noticed that the cocktail’s popularity seems to have returned, with interesting drinks combinations available from some mainstream bars (usually best avoided if accompanied by the phrase ‘served in a bucket’) and small, casual cocktail bars are filling up the shady niches of the city centre, wholly welcome to the new generation of drinker by entirely miss- able unless you know where they are. Boutique is The Hype’s favourite example of such a hideaway. Tucked away inside a house-like building behind Queen’s Court, the soft glow of candlelight shining through the bar’s windows creates a deceptively homely façade for the lively atmosphere inside. After you’ve been greeted by the friendliest doorman in Leeds, who looks like a well groomed bartender on a break rather than a bouncer, you’ll be on your way into the mahogany surroundings of Boutique, complete with an extremely busy and well equipped bar and attractive waitresses carrying large trays of colourful drinks direct to waiting customers. A tip for those arriving early; try to sit at the tall stools in front of the downstairs bar, so that you can watch your drinks being made by the professional mixologists, enjoy the fastest service and smooth jazz guitar the bar usually puts on, and avoid the upstairs bar, which is extremely noisy and packed, especially at the weekend. Now it’s time to take a deep breath for the menu. Boutique has an impressive range of cocktails to say the least, grouped into categories with a sexy twist, including the Associate Editor’s favourite Porn Star martinis (identified by that side of champagne and £8 price tag). For those feeling in a spiritual mood, Bar Manager and bartender of the year finalist Gary Hayward has sent Boutique on the quest for the Holy Cocktail, a selection of drinks using only the finest materials to recreate a classic to sumptuous proportions. The Rose Line, a combination of SKYY vanilla vodka, sugar, mint, fresh lime and rose champagne is absolutely divine (£6.50). Dazed and confused? Don’t worry, a sympathetic cocktail waitress will be on hand to direct you through the fourteen-page wonderment. A tip for beginners; if you’ve had a basic cocktail before and enjoyed it, don’t just order it off the menu. Tell the waitress what you’ve had and she’ll suggest something to the same taste. The Hype, a fan of the pinkish cosmopolitan, was treated to the Fresh Prince of Belvedere, a delicious mixture of champagne, pomegranate, cranberry and fresh strawberry (£6.50), and Hype’s guest was treated to a delicious equivalent to his favourite white Russian. Editor’s choice went to the natural selection, a blend of cocktails offering the freshest fruit and elderflower juice, which were not only refreshing but delicious, and the virgin cocktails which were just as impressive as their alcoholic counterparts. All in all? Drinks lovers will be like children in a sweet shop in this colourful candybox of a drinks emporium, whose settings allow you to feel a lot more sophisticated than you’ll be acting after a few of Boutique’s concoctions. Avoid Saturday night, and take that credit card. A fantastic post-dinner drink for you and the missus. Boutique, 11-15 Hirsts Yard, Briggate, Leeds 0113 245 6595 Email: info@boutique-leeds.co.uk Monday- Wednesday 4pm-12pmThursday-Saturday 4pm-2amClosed Sundays |
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